Upto 60% Off on UPSC Online Courses

Avail Now

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper, Subject-wise Breakdown, Trends!

PWOnlyIAS May 17, 2024 06:05 1299 0

UPSC mains GS 3 paper is one of the four mains GS papers that a candidate has to attempt. Find out more about UPSC GS 3 paper to prepare your strategy!

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper, Subject-wise Breakdown, Trends!

UPSC mains GS 3 paper has a weightage of 250 marks and covered subjects such as economy, science and technology etc. Candidates will find this paper challenging as it involves topics that are dynamic in nature.

Candidates must be prepared for unexpected questions in UPSC mains GS 3 paper as there is ample scope for surprise questions. Previous papers have shown that UPSC likes to test a candidate’s current affairs knowledge in this paper.

Interlinking between topics is another aspect that candidates must be prepared for in UPSC mains GS 3 paper. In recent times, UPSC examiner have repeatedly combined multiple themes to frame a question. You can find more about GS 3 paper here.

UPSC Mains Exam Overview

Candidates writing UPSC mains exam will have to attempt nine papers, two of which are qualifying and the rest being considered for preparing the merit list. More details about the UPSC mains exam can be found in the table below.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Exam Name UPSC Civil Services (Main) Exam 2024
Eligibility Qualify Prelims
UPSC Mains Exam Date 20th to 28th September 2024
Exam Format Descriptive format
Number of Papers 9
Duration 3 hrs each
Qualifying Papers Paper A (Indian Language)

Paper B (English)

Qualifying Marks: 75 Marks

Papers used for Calculating Merit Essay

General Studies 1

General Studies 2

General Studies 3

General Studies 4

Optional Paper 1

Optional Paper 2

Total Marks 250 X 7 = 1750
Qualifying Marks Subject to  10%  marks in each of the seven competitive papers.
Cutoff marks Varies every year (741 for General in 2023)

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper Overview

UPSC mains GS 3 paper has a weightage of 250 marks. The question contains 20 questions, divided equally into 10 markers and 15 markers. The details about the UPSC mains paper is provided below.

Paper Name General Studies paper 3
Total Marks 250
Duration 3 hrs
Number of Questions 20 Questions

(10X10 marks and 10X15 marks)

Nature of Paper Considered for Merit List
Qualifying Marks 10% (25 marks)

Also Read: UPSC Mains GS Syllabus

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper Subject-wise Division

Candidates will have to study subjects such as economy, science and technology, environment and ecology, disaster management and internal security as part of UPSC mains GS 3 paper. The subject-wise breakdown is given below.

Subject Sub Topic
Science and Technology Science and technology and their applications

Achievements of Indian in science and technology

Awareness in fields of IT, space, communication, biotechnology, IPR etc

Economy Planning, growth, development etc

Inclusive growth

Government budgeting

Issues related to subsidies, PDF, food technology etc

Land reforms

LPG reforms in India

Infrastructure and growth models

Environment and Ecology Conservation

Environmental pollution

Environmental degradation

Environment Impact Assessment

Disaster Management Disaster and disaster management
Internal Security Development and extremism

Security challenges in border areas

Challenges to internal security

Security agencies and their mandate

Also Read: UPSC Mains Subject List

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper 2024

UPSC mains GS 3 paper 2024 will be conducted on 22nd September 2024 from 9 am to 12 noon across 24 centres in India. The detailed analysis of UPSC mains GS 3 paper 2024 will be provided here after the exam. More information is given below in the table.

Date of Exam 22nd September 2024 (tentative)
Timing 9 am to 12 noon
Duration  3 hrs

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper Analysis 2023

UPSC Mains GS 3 paper 2023 was held on 17th September 2023 from 9 am to 12 noon. The overall difficulty level of the GS 3 paper was between moderate and difficult.

  • Almost all questions from science and technology were related to recent developments such as AI, digitization, UAVs, Chandrayaan-3 mission, etc.
  • Questions from economy subject were picked from current affairs, such as care economy, MSME, unemployment, agricultural growth, etc.
  • Climate change was the central theme for disaster management as well as environment and ecology. Pollution theme was also part of the question paper.
  • In the subject of internal security, terror financing, border management and role of central investigative agencies were the themes asked in the exam.
Also Read: UPSC mains GS 3 Paper Analysis

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper Analysis Last Five Years

From the graph below, it is evident that all subjects are given similar weightage in UPSC mains GS 3 paper. This means that equal importance has to be given for all subjects. The detailed break-up of subjects is given below.

UPSC mains GS 3 paper

Year Download Link
2024 Click Here
2023 Click Here
2022 Click Here
2021 Click Here
2020 Click Here
2019 Click Here

The UPSC Mains GS 3 paper, with its 250-mark weightage, covers dynamic subjects like economy, science, technology, environment, and internal security. Candidates face the challenge of unexpected questions, often testing their grasp of current affairs. Interlinking between topics adds complexity, emphasizing the need for comprehensive preparation across all subjects to excel in this crucial examination segment.

 

Looking to Kick-start your UPSC Preparation? Begin your journey by joining best courses from Physics Wallah! Register Now!

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper FAQs

All subjects have nearly the same weightage in GS 3 paper. However, economy and science and technology take precedence over others.

Yes. Majority of themes asked in this paper are based on current affairs.

Candidates scoring 90-100 in GS 3 paper have a high chance of clearing UPSC mains exam.

Candidates have to keep track of recent developments for predicting themes. In exam papers, they have to make use of diagrams and flow charts for higher marks.

Newspapers, government publications such as PIB, economic survey and budget documents are the best sources for GS 3 paper.
/*
*/

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

by month

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

      

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.